New festival aims to rock crowds with the Gospel

At least, thatís what organizers of the first annual Victory Fest of Houma think.

With two contemporary Christian bands, state-of-the-art multimedia systems and concert lighting, the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center will come alive during the one-night event slated for next weekend.

Admission is free, and anyone is welcome to attend.

The community event, sponsored by Victory Christian Center of Houma, is a community outreach that starts at 7 p.m. Sept. 1.

The evening of music and preaching features Christian rock bands By the Tree and The Turning. Between the two bandsí performances, Victory Christian Center pastor Brian Comeaux will deliver a short message about salvation in Jesus Christ.

Those who respond to the message and receive prayer will be able to fill out cards, so organizers can help them find churches that suit them near the places they live. About 30 churches are involved in the outreach, representing a diverse cross-section of Christian denominations, including Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist and nondenominational.

"Itís really not all about one church," said Andre Badeaux, missions and outreach coordinator for Victory Christian. "Itís about the community."

Badeaux describes the bands as rock Žní roll in style, but geared toward people of all ages.

"When most people think rock bands, they think young people," he said. "But these bands are really appealing to anyone of any age."

Badeaux said organizers picked the two bands because of the band membersí hearts for ministry and things of God, and not just their love of music.

The idea of holding a Victory Fest has been on Comeauxís mind for several years, Badeaux said. Now, the church finally has the resources to make the annual event happen, he said. Though the event is free, donations are welcome; an offering will be taken during the event.

All proceeds from the offering will benefit LifeSongs 89.1 FM, a New Orleans-based Christian radio station that was damaged during Hurricane Katrina.

Badeaux said that since the hurricane, reception of the station in Houma has been slightly down, and he hopes the money raised for LifeSongs will help the station come in clearer in this area.

"This is really going to be a big concert with lots of lights, sound systems and the works," he said. "People should come out expecting a big show."

For more information about the festival, visit www.victoryhouma.com. For information about the bands, visit www.myspace.com/theturning and www.myspace.com/bythetree.

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